Results of fetal treatment of myelomeningocoele

миеломенингоцеле, дет

The influence of low-frequency variable magnetic fields in reducing pain experience after dental implant treatment

The paper presents the evaluation of analgesic effect or magnetostimulation and magnetoledtherapy after implantation treatment. The study was conducted on 3 groups (Z applicator, IR applicator and conventional drug therapy) of 10 patients each of whom underwent a single implantation. Magnetostimulation was carried out using Viofor JPS Delux equipment. The patients were exposed to magnetic field for approx. 15 minutes before the treatment and during the visit after 6 hours after the implantation procedure. Pain perception of patients was recorded on the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Results: the most intense pain was reported in the control group. The least intense pain appeared in the group with Z applicator. Patients using Z and IR applicators took analgesics less frequently and used much weaker analgesics than the control group. Pain perceived in the first group was between 0 and 2, while in the second group – between 2 and 3, and in the control group – between 3 and 5 in VAS scale. Magnetostimulation reduces patient’s demand for analgesics after implantation procedures and yielded better effects in reduction of pain in comparison with magnetostimulation with LED therapy

The role of fluorescence diagnosis in clinical practice

Aleksander Sieroń,1 Karolina Sieroń-Stołtny,1 Aleksandra Kawczyk-Krupka,1 Wojciech Latos,1 Sebastian Kwiatek,1 Dariusz Straszak,1 Andrzej M Bugaj1,2 1Clinical Department of Internal Diseases, Angiology and Physical Medicine, Center for Laser Diagnostics and Therapy, Silesian Medical University, Bytom, 2College of Health, Beauty Care and Education, Poznan, Poland Abstract: Fluorescence diagnosis is a fast, easy, noninvasive, selective, and sensitive diagnostic tool for estimation of treatment results in oncology. In clinical practice the use of photodynamic diagnosis is focused on five targets: detection for prevention of malignant transformation precancerous changes, detection of neoplasmatic tissue in the early stages for fast removal, prevention of expansion and detection of recurrence of the cancer, monitoring therapy, and the possibility of excluding neoplasmatic disease. In this article, selected applications of fluorescence diagnosis at the Center for Laser Diagnostics and Therapy in Bytom, Poland, for each of these targets are presented. Keywords: autofluorescence, cancer, fluorescence, imaging, photodynamic diagnosis, photodynamic therapy&nbsp

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) as a marker for cancer progression - a review

Angiogeneza zwana również neowaskularyzacją jest wieloetapowym procesem tworzenia nowych naczyń krwionośnych w miejscu już istniejących, regulowanym przez czynniki pobudzające (proangiogenne) oraz hamujące (antyangiogenne). Nowotworzenie naczyń zachodzi w procesach fizjologicznych oraz w stanach patologicznych organizmu. W wyniku zaburzenia równowagi między czynnikami proangiogennymi, aktywującymi proces tworzenia nowych naczyń a czynnikami hamującymi (antyangiogennymi) dochodzi do przewagi aktywacji czynników angiogennych oraz nadmiernej angiogenezy, co sprzyja rozwojowi guza nowotworowego. W wyniku niedotlenienia (hipoksji) tkanki dochodzi do aktywacji czynników angiogennych, w tym przede wszystkim czynnika odgrywającego kluczową rolę w progresji nowotworowej – VEGF (ang. Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor). VEGF jest białkiem uważanym za główny czynnik odpowiedzialny za proces angiogenezy oraz wzrost przepuszczalności naczyń krwionośnych; nazywany jest również czynnikiem przepuszczalności naczyniowej. Najważniejszym czynnikiem indukującym proces angiogenezy oraz wydzielanie czynnika VEGF przez komórki nowotworowe jest niedotlenienie (hipoksja) panujące w mikrośrodowisku guza. VEGF jest złym czynnikiem prognostycznym odpowiadającym za progresję oraz aktywację tworzenia przerzutów wielu guzów litych. Zmniejszenie wydzielania czynnika VEGF ma istotne znaczenie w zahamowaniu procesu angiogenezy, a także potencjału metastatycznego komórek nowotworowych, które wcześniej nie uległy zniszczeniu na drodze apoptozy lub nekrozy.Angiogenesis, also called neovascularization is a multistep process of forming new blood vessels and it is regulated by stimulating factors (proangiogenic) and inhibitors (anti-angiogenenic). Neovascularization occurs in physiological processes and in pathological states of the organism. As a result of an imbalance between proangiogenic factors activating the process of creating new blood vessels and inhibitors (anti-angiogenic) comes to lead the activation of angiogenic factors and excessive angiogenesis, which promotes tumor growth. As a result of hypoxia an activation of tissue angiogenic factors occurs, including, in particular, the key factor in tumor progression - VEGF (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor). VEGF is a protein considered to be the main factor responsible for process of angiogenesis and an increased vascular permeability’ It is also known as a vascular permeability factor. The most important factor that induces angiogenesis and VEGF secretion by cancer cells is hypoxia in the tumor microenvironment. VEGF is a poor prognostic factor responsible for the progression and metastasis activation of many solid tumors. Decreased levels of VEGF is important in the inhibition of angiogenesis and metastatic potential of tumor cells that have not been destroyed by apoptosis or necrosis

Relationship between lead absorption and iron status and its association with oxidative stress markers in lead-exposed workers

Background: The emission of lead (Pb) occurring during the extraction, processing and industrial applications of this element remains a significant environmental risk factor. The absorbability of lead in humans is strongly associated with the general health status of exposed individuals. Existing mineral deficiencies are considered being a predisposition to an increased Pb uptake. Both, iron deficiency and lead poisoning are the major causative factors responsible for the prevalence of anemia within the vulnerable population, especially in children. Although some of the intervention programs of counteracting lead poisoning by iron supplementation proved to be effective in the Pb-exposed population, the exact mechanisms of this interaction still require further studies. The objective of the presented study was to examine the association of iron level on oxidative stress measures and its effects on the severity of lead toxicity in the exposed population. Methods: The analyzed population consisted of 270 male workers from the lead-zinc smelter. The studied population was divided into two sub-groups based on the serum iron concentration: low iron level group (L-Fe; Fe < median value) and high iron level group (H-Fe; Fe > median value). Measured traits comprised of blood lead (PbB), serum Fe and zinc protoporphyrin (ZPP) levels as well as a blood count and oxidative stress markers. Results: No significant correlation between serum iron concentration and PbB in the tested cohort was found. On the contrary, the analysis of ZPP levels (long-term marker related to a hematologic toxic effect of Pb) within the subgroups differing in serum Fe level shown that ZPP was 12.3 % lower (p = 0.043) in subjects classified within the H-Fe group. A positive correlation of serum Fe and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) was found (R = 0.1999). The conducted 3-D PCA analysis showed that individuals classified within the H-Fe group were characterized by the co-occurrence of higher Fe levels, lower ZPP, and higher TAC value. Conclusion: These results support the existing evidence providing that maintaining the optimal status of Fe may play a significant role in preventing the lead poisoning and alleviating harmful effects of Pb on the oxidative balance in humans